CHICAGO, Ill. – The Milwaukee women's tennis team looked to extend its three-match winning streak but dropped a hard-fought battle against UIC, 5-2, Friday morning at XS Tennis Village.
 
"The team competed hard, but UIC really played well today," head coach Mark Goldin said. "They showed up and earned it – every match was a battle that came down to a few points that didn't go our way … but I give credit to UIC. They had great energy and were also ready to compete."
 
After the Panthers (3-2) dropped a tight doubles match to the Flames (2-2), singles play was back-and-forth all afternoon. Nadiia Konieva improved to 9-1 on the season with her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Tamara Malazonia at No. 2 to get MKE its first point.
 
Sara Simonova contributed her excellent play of late, pulling out a three-set victory at No. 5 when she finished off Zara Ryan 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
 
"We didn't make it easy for them but in the end, they earned every match with solid play," Goldin said. "We look forward to getting back to work Monday to get ready for our big battle of Milwaukee match against Marquette."
 
Laure Razet dropped a heartbreaker at No. 4, falling in the tiebreak 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (11-9). In doubles action, Babette Burgersdijk and Simonova defeated the team of Camille Belberka and Tamara Malazonia by a score of 6-4 to even things at 1-1. It came down to the No. 1 court, where Konieva and Razet were outlasted, 7-5.
 
Up next, the Panthers have a pair of home matches next week, starting off on Wednesday when they welcome Marquette to River Glen Elite. Match time is set to get underway at 12 noon.
 
UIC 5, Milwaukee Panthers 2
Singles competition
1. Agnes Gustafsson (UIC) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-2, 6-3
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Tamara Malazonia (UIC) 6-3, 6-4
3. Mayu Ushio (UIC) def. Emilia Durska (MKE) 6-3, 6-2
4. Camille Belberka (UIC) def. Laure Razet (MKE) 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (11-9)
5. Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Zara Ryan (UIC) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
6. Anais Brion (UIC) def. Evelina Anastasi (MKE) 7-6 (5-0), 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Mayu Ushio/Agnes Gustafsson (UIC) def. Nadiia Konieva/Laure Razet (MKE) 7-5
2. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Camille Belberka/Tamara Malazonia (UIC) 6-4
3. Rodriguez Gregoris/Zara Ryan (UIC) def. Iva Stejskalova/Emilia Durska (MKE) 6-1